TWO men were arrested today by police investigating a murder almost three years ago.

Both men were detained by Huddersfield detectives probing the shooting of garage mechanic Brian Hardwick.

Mr Hardwick, a 50-year-old father-of-two, was gunned down at the Huddersfield garage where he worked.

Police announced news of the arrests late this morning.

Det Insp Steve Hepplestone, of Huddersfield CID, said: "We have arrested two men in connection with the murder of Brian Hardwick.

"The men, aged 38 and 23, were arrested in the Huddersfield area this morning and will be questioned later today at Huddersfield Police headquarters."

Mr Hardwick's body lay in the yard of the former Huddersfield Car Electrical Services in Colne Road for several hours after he was shot twice.

His wallet was stolen and his cashpoint card was used at Asda supermarket in Huddersfield minutes after the killing to withdraw £350 from his account.

He had written his Pin number on a piece of paper in his wallet.

Police said at the time that Mr Hardwick had been shot dead by someone who had deliberately punctured his car tyre to make him stay after his colleagues left the garage on Colne Road on November 21, 2001.

He lived with his wife Lynne, 53, in Wibsey, Bradford.

The couple, who had married six months earlier, were members of the Range Riders country and western club in Wakefield Road, Bradford.

Mrs Hardwick regularly praised her close friends and club members for helping her through the last three years - years, which she described as "sheer hell".